A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Jerusalem vs. Pai for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Jerusalem or Pai?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Jerusalem or Pai, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Jerusalem or Pai?

Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the capital city of Israel, as well as one of the most historically rich cities in the world. It is also the largest city in the country. While Tel Aviv holds many of the responsibilities of a capital city, officially, Jerusalem is still considered the capital. It is important to note that most countries have their embassies in Tel Aviv, not in Jerusalem.

Pai

As the lush green mountains adorn the blue horizon amidst its creamy clouds, Pai, in northern Thailand, works as one of the many hubs for some of the world's most exciting cultural adventures and natural wonders. Within this small town just north of the Mae Hong Son Province, near the Myanmar border, Pai lays on the Pai River and holds a population of no more than 2,500. Despite its geographical insignificance, this town attracts a wide array of tourists. From breathtaking waterfalls to relaxing hot springs, you will find yourself astonished at how much this little city holds within its borders.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Israel, The Best Budget Tours to Israel, The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket.


Which place is cheaper, Pai or Jerusalem?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Jerusalem is $107, while the average daily cost in Pai is $64. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Jerusalem and Pai in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Jerusalem $63
    Pai $14
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Jerusalem $126
    Pai $28
Compare Hotels in Jerusalem and Pai

Looking for a hotel in Jerusalem or Pai? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Jerusalem


Hotels in Pai


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Jerusalem Hotel Prices and Pai Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Jerusalem $6.64
    Pai $37
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Local Bus
    $3.13
  • Light Rail Jerusalem
    $9.68

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Jerusalem

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Jerusalem:

  • VIP transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
  • VIP Transfer between Ben Gurion Airport and Jerusalem: $130
  • Transfer Between Tel Aviv city and Jerusalem city: $209
  • Private Transfer: From Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $95
  • Private Transfer from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv: $247
  • Private Transfer from Dead Sea Hotels to Aqaba Airport: $160
  • Private Jerusalem Departure Transfer - Hotel/Accommodation to Tel Aviv Airport: $48
  • Private Intercity Transfer - from your Jerusalem hotel to your Tel Aviv hotel: $90
  • Private Airport Transfers to/from Hotel: $144
  • Jerusalem to Ben Gurion Airport Private Transfer: $150
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $130
  • Jerusalem to Allenby Bridge Private Transfer: $150

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pai

Also for Pai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Pa Pae Meditation: Private Car transfer to/from Chiang Mai: $70
  • Chiang Mai Private Car transfer to or from Pai(Mae Hong Son): $107
  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $132
  • Chiang Mai City to/from Pai Hotel: Private Transfer: $132
  • Chiang Mai Hotel Transfer: to/from Pai Hotel: $149
  • Transfer and Tour to Pai / Chiang Mai: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Jerusalem or Pai?

Prices for flights to both Pai and Jerusalem change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Jerusalem $31
    Pai $21
Typical Food Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of dining costs in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Orange Juice
    $2.65
  • Watermelon
    $3.98
  • Lunch
    $12
  • Food at Market
    $15
  • Juice
    $2.65
  • Bagels
    $7.96
  • Lunch for 2
    $14
  • Snacks
    $5.57

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Jerusalem

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Jerusalem.

  • Private Lunch or Dinner at a Local Traditional Restaurant from Dead Sea: $96
  • Private Madaba Haret Jdoudna Restaurant Lunch or Dinner from Dead Sea: $115
  • The Best Food Tour in Jerusalem-Perfect for Viral Travel Content: $117
  • Christmas Eve in Israel: Jerusalem Sightseeing Tour with Dinner and Midnight Mass Viewing in Bethlehem: $125
  • Experience Shabbat With Dinner In Jerusalem: $170

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Jerusalem $8.43
    Pai $40
Typical Entertainment Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Cooking Classes for 2
    $33

Tours and Activities in Jerusalem

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Jerusalem are as follows:

  • 2 Days Bethlehem, Herodion, Judean Desert Monasteries and Jericho Private Tour: $275
  • Political Private Tour Ramallah: $140
  • (From Jerusalem) One-Day Tour to Bethlehem Jericho & Jordan River Qasr alyahood: $99
  • 2 Hour Shooting Experience: $173
  • 360 Virtual Tour of Ancient Jerusalem: $6.00
  • Amazing Family Tour in Jerusalem: $502
  • Ashdod Shore Excursion: Jerusalem and Bethlehem - for cruise ship guests only: $115
  • Best of Jerusalem Day Tour from Jerusalem: $84
  • Best of Jerusalem Full-Day Tour from Jerusalem: $69
  • Bethlehem & Dead Sea Day Tour from Jerusalem & Tel Aviv: $147
  • Bethlehem Alternative Tour: $90
  • Bethlehem Christian Guided Tour: $20

Tours and Activities in Pai

For Pai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Jungle Tipsy Tubing Experience with Shots: $6.76

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Jerusalem $16
    Pai $13
Typical Alcohol Prices in Jerusalem

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Jerusalem are as follows:


  • Beer
    $4.77


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Jerusalem and Pai, we can see that Jerusalem is more expensive. And not only is Pai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Jerusalem is in Middle East and Pai is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Pai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pai and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Jerusalem would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Jerusalem than you might in Pai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Jerusalem Expensive? and Is Pai Expensive?.



When is the best time to visit Jerusalem or Pai?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Jerusalem or Pai in the Summer?

Both Pai and Jerusalem during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Jerusalem because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pai year-round.

Pai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Jerusalem usually gets less rain in July than Pai. Jerusalem gets 10 mm (0.4 in) of rain, while Pai receives 211 mm (8.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Jerusalem. In the summer, Jerusalem often gets more sunshine than Pai. Jerusalem gets 364 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 146 hours of full sun.

Jerusalem is cooler than Pai in the summer. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Pai fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Jerusalem 23°C (73°F) 
    Pai 29°C (85°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Pai in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Jerusalem and Pai. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Jerusalem year-round. Pai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Pai receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Pai. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pai receives 115 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pai this time of the year. In Jerusalem, it's very sunny this time of the year. Jerusalem usually receives more sunshine than Pai during autumn. Jerusalem gets 274 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 226 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Jerusalem is much colder than Pai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Jerusalem in October average around 19°C (66°F), and Pai averages at about 29°C (84°F).


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Jerusalem 19°C (66°F) 
    Pai 29°C (84°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Pai in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Jerusalem as well as Pai. Jerusalem attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pai throughout the year.

Jerusalem usually gets more rain in January than Pai. Jerusalem gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Pai receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pai. In the winter, Jerusalem often gets less sunshine than Pai. Jerusalem gets 184 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pai receives 283 hours of full sun.

In January, Jerusalem is generally much colder than Pai. Daily temperatures in Jerusalem average around 8°C (46°F), and Pai fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Jerusalem 8°C (46°F) 
    Pai 24°C (74°F)

Should I visit Jerusalem or Pai in the Spring?

Both Pai and Jerusalem are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Jerusalem throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Pai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

In April, Jerusalem usually receives less rain than Pai. Jerusalem gets 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain, while Pai receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Pai. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Jerusalem. Jerusalem usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pai during spring. Jerusalem gets 269 hours of sunny skies, while Pai receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Pai. Jerusalem is much colder than Pai in the spring. The daily temperature in Jerusalem averages around 16°C (61°F) in April, and Pai fluctuates around 32°C (89°F).


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Jerusalem 16°C (61°F) 
    Pai 32°C (89°F)

Typical Weather for Pai and Jerusalem

Jerusalem Pai
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 8°C (46°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 24°C (74°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)
Feb 9°C (48°F) 90 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 2 mm (0.1 in)
Mar 12°C (54°F) 50 mm (2 in) 29°C (83°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Apr 16°C (61°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 32°C (89°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
May 19°C (66°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 31°C (88°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)
Jun 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 30°C (86°F) 181 mm (7.1 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (84°F) 256 mm (10.1 in)
Sep 22°C (72°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 29°C (85°F) 207 mm (8.1 in)
Oct 19°C (66°F) 20 mm (0.8 in) 29°C (84°F) 115 mm (4.5 in)
Nov 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 27°C (80°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Dec 10°C (50°F) 60 mm (2.4 in) 24°C (76°F) 12 mm (0.5 in)